Are statins effective?
Statins are effective at lowering cholesterol and protecting against a heart attack and stroke, although they may lead to side effects for some people. Doctors often prescribe statins for people with high cholesterol to lower their total cholesterol and reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Can statins cause permanent muscle damage?
Symptoms tend to disappear within 3 months after you stop taking statins, with no permanent damage in most cases. But a 2018 study suggests that in rare cases, some muscle damage isn’t reversible. Moderate exercise, as opposed to intense physical activity, also may help eliminate myopathy symptoms.
What do statins do?
Statins are a group of medicines that can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is often referred to as “bad cholesterol”, and statins reduce the production of it inside the liver.
Do statins clear plaque from arteries?
Statins don’t just lower cholesterol levels but also reduce the risk of fatty plaques breaking off from walls of your arteries, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
What drugs are affected by SLCO1B1?
The gene organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1, also known as SLCO1B1) encodes the transmembrane protein OATP1B1, which transports anionic drugs such as statins, irinotecan, rifampin, repaglinide and methotrexate.
What does the SLCO1B1 gene do?
The SLCO1B1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1, or OATP1B1. This protein is found in liver cells; it transports compounds from the blood into the liver so that they can be cleared from the body.
What are the symptoms of statin myopathy?
Symptoms of statin induced myopathy include fatigue, muscle pain, muscle tenderness, muscle weakness, nocturnal cramping, and tendon pain. The muscle symptoms tend to be proximal, generalised, and worse with exercise.
What does SLCO1B1 decreased function mean?
Having SLCO1B1 decreased function means that you may have reduced transport of certain medications into the liver for processing and removal from the body. This may lead to slightly higher than normal medication levels in the body, or have no noticeable effects.
Can myopathy caused by statins be reversed?
While myopathy caused by statins can be mild and can be reversed when the medication is discontinued, it may present as rhabdomyolysis or severe muscle damage.
What medications are affected by SLCO1B1 decreased function?
An SLCO1B1 variant with a C allele at nucleotide position rs4149056 has been associated with altered pharmacokinetics of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin, as well as with an increased risk of myopathy during simvastatin therapy.